I will vote for none of these, just as I have not voted for previous proposed amendments of the past decade of elections.

The Legislature needs to buckle-down and do its job for the people of Texas.

The Texas Constitution has been amended more times than the U.S. Constitution.

It is time to rewrite the entire Texas Constitution instead of every 2 years adding amendments to it.

If a house is built on an imperfect foundation, you do not consistently add on to that structure. You rebuild the foundation and then the house won't need as many amendments to it and can handle any add-ons better.

These never-ending proposed amendments are symptoms of a failing statewide political and legislative system.

I recommend voting "No" on each of these 11 items and demand that our elected legislators rewrite the constitution so that it is structurally sound.

Unfortunately, most amendments are approved by Texas voters, who really do not comprehend the issues because they are being manipulated and deceived by legislators and their special interests; however, it is up to Texans to send a message to their legislators to fix the constitution and quit adding-on to it.

I can't remember when I last voted for an ammendment. I agree with poster. These amendments are always put on the ballot during "off year" election, so the narrow minded special interest can muster enough votes to pass these by and large dumb things. And also remember if an election is on the ballot--If they're in, they're out! If one is unopposed, then don't vote for that person. Our politicians need to get to work for the ordinary citizens. Now they are all bought off by O&G, insurance, power generating and other corporate interests.

I agree, pstern. Usually the amendments are presented in language that is incomprehensible and always have some hidden agenda. I found #11 particularly strange in that it completely contradicts itself:

"The constitutional amendment to prohibit the taking, damaging, or destroying of private property for public use unless the action is for the ownership, use, and enjoyment of the property by the State, a political subdivision of the State, the public at large, or entities granted the power of eminent domain under law or for the elimination of urban blight on a particular parcel of property, but not for certain economic development or enhancement of tax revenue purposes, and to limit the legislature's authority to grant the power of eminent domain to an entity."

Just rec'd an email from CorridorWatch.org recommending a 'yes' vote on amendment 11, saying that it WILL help protect private property from imminent domain. I'm not convinced. This is an important issue. Any thoughts on this?

The troublesome language, to me, is where it talks about urban blight. We just got done watching the PBS New York series and saw where there were some wonderful old neighborhoods and Penn Station taken down because of *urban blight*. Also, why can't it just stop with the public at large and not have an OR.

All of the language disturbs me. I want to support legislation that protects private property from eminent domain but this has so many exceptions. I realize that these amendments are just the starting point for legislative definition of the issue but I've become paranoid about voting for any of them. The voter just isn't given enough information.

Amendment 11 does nothing to ensure the protection of eminent domain for homeowners.

A few years ago Perry had the chance to approve a bill that provided homeowners with REAL compensation for land taken from them. He refused to sign it. It is obvious that Perry and most legislators do NOT want us to be protected from eminent domain.

Time to get rid of Perry once and for all. It can only help the rest of us move forward.

Here's a clip from an email from corridorwatch.org (a source I relied upon heavily in gaining information about the Trans Texas Corridor and one I trust):

"Here's what the author of HJR-14 has to say about the legislative intent of the Proposition 11 amendment:

HJR 14 - STATEMENT OF LEGISLATIVE INTENT

It is the intent of the legislature that HJR 14 end the practice of governmental and quasi-governmental entities using the power of eminent domain to take land from private individuals to facilitate the private development and redevelopment of property. Such practices represent a harm to the citizens of the State of Texas. This amendment was passed in response to the United States Supreme Court s' decision in Kelo v City of New London, which held that eminent domain for private development is consistent with the Fifth Amendment of the United States Constitution. The use of eminent domain in the Kelo case is inconsistent with the intent and meaning of Article I, Section 17 of the Texas Constitution and inconsistent with this amendment.

This amendment is further intended to restrict the ability of local governments to condemn property for the purpose of eliminating urban blight by only allowing condemnation on a parcel-by-parcel basis, and based only upon the presence of dangerous conditions on the property that represent a genuine threat to the public health, safety, and welfare (urban blight). This amendment is intended to restrict, and in no way expand, the eminent domain authority of condemning entities. It is the intent of the legislature that the terms of this amendment shall be construed in favor of its purpose to protect private property from condemnation.

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